DIT flags off the training program for first batch of Tax Return Preparers at NIIT
DIT flags off the training program for first batch of Tax Return Preparers at NIIT
CBDT Chairperson highlights the plan to create a pool of skilled TRPs in India
New Delhi, February 08, 2007: The training programme for 5000 students, under the Tax Return Preparers’ Scheme was flagged off by the Chairperson of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ministry of Finance, Ms Indira Bhargava here today. The Tax Return Preparers Scheme is designed to train a pool of TRPs to assist new income tax assessees to file their tax returns.
As part of the Tax Return Preparer Scheme (TRPS), the Government aims at raising the level of awareness and compliance amongst marginal taxpayers. The Department of Income Tax (DIT) expects to add nearly 50 lakh new assessees during the current year.
NIIT has been mandated by Department of Income Tax (DIT) to help foster resources for widening the base of income tax payers, by creating trained and certified Tax Return Preparers across the country. As part of the agreement, NIIT tested over 47,500 graduates across 100 locations to select 5,000 candidates for training on Income Tax filing procedures.
Speaking at a simple ceremony to kick-start the programme, Ms Indira Bhargava, Chairperson, CBDT said, “NIIT’s reach and expertise in training delivery will help us create a pool of skilled tax preparers to help facilitate the ever growing base of tax payers in the country.”
The students would undergo a rigorous training programme on Income Tax filing procedures and popular office applications on computers starting today. On successful completion of the training programme, the candidates will be certified and referred to as ‘Certified Tax Return Preparers’ and obtain a unique Identification Number from the Department of Income Tax.
Elaborating on the new initiative, Mr. P. Rajendran, Chief Operating Officer, NIIT said, “By partnering with Department of Income Tax for this unique initiative, NIIT will not only assist the Government in achieving its goals but also provide a career opportunity for large number of country’s unemployed youth.
“Graduates in remote corners of the country now have a good opportunity to gain self-employment and work towards a better future”, he added.
In this unique STE (Source-Train-Enable) programme, NIIT is providing special training material on the subject, developed by Taxman a leading publishing house dealing exclusively in Tax related matters. To ensure quality outcome of the training, all Tax Return Preparers would have access to a Web Based Knowledge Portal, for any special support while filing the returns, throughout the year. A unique feature of this exercise is the extensive use of e-learning for Tax Return Preparers, through the portal for one year, post their certification. This will help in continuous updation of skills in tax matters.
As part of its effort to ‘Train the Trainers’, NIIT has enrolled experts to train faculty for TRPs. These trainers in turn would train students across 100 locations. The training programme includes modules on how to calculate Tax, usage of computer in calculating and filing return and other areas of soft skills.